Chapter 76: Riding the Wind
The guests of Jinle Square may not be short on money, but that doesn’t mean they’re willing to be suckers.
Since there are cheaper products available, of course, they would want to pay less for the same quality.
"Young lady, where is this Taoyao Square you mentioned?"
"Taoyao Square hasn’t opened yet, but its products are already made and now being sold at Brocade Clothing Shop. If you want to buy them, go early, because their stock is limited."
"I’ll head over there right away."
"I’m going too."
"I don’t need this. Why should we pay double for the same thing? We’re not foolish."
One by one, the guests put down their things and left.
"Don’t leave... don’t go..."
"Who are you and why are you ruining our business?"
The staff looked at Su Yaoguang with hostility.
Su Yaoguang softly said, "I’m just telling the truth. If I’ve accidentally ruined your business, that’s your own fault. Cousin, let’s go."
"Ruined our business and still want to leave?" The staff blocked the door.
Bam bam! They shut the door.
"Cousin, what should we do?" Jia Chunni clutched her arm in fear.
"If a fight breaks out, find a place to hide, leave this to me," Su Yaoguang instructed.
"What’s going on?" A middle-aged man came out.
"Shopkeeper, these two troublesome girls ruined our business." One of the staff approached the shopkeeper, whispered about the situation.
The shopkeeper sized up Su Yaoguang and said flatly, "You’re from Taoyao Square, right?"
"We’re just people who stand up against unfairness. Shopkeeper, how can a big shop like Jinle Square deceive its customers? Are these goods really produced by Jinle Square?" Su Yaoguang said, "If you want to bully us with numbers and power today, then this matter won’t be over. We’ve already stationed people outside before coming in. If we don’t walk out safely, this matter will definitely go to the authorities."
"Open the door and let them go," the shopkeeper commanded grandly.
The staff dared not disobey and opened the door.
Su Yaoguang pulled Jia Chunni outside.
Jia Chunni only came to her senses once they were on the street, shaking Su Yaoguang’s arm: "Cousin, you’re amazing, you threatened them lightly, and they let us go."
"I didn’t just threaten them; Jinle Square wouldn’t risk it. It’s a renowned big store here, and reputation is crucial. If they stumble because of today’s incident, it would tarnish the reputation of so many people," Su Yaoguang looked back toward Jinle Square’s door. "Let’s go!"
In the inner yard of Jinle Square. Slap! Tong Fu slapped, and Tong Lu, standing in front of him, covered his face like a quail, daring not to breathe like a child who did wrong.
"I’ve been wondering why you’ve been so capable lately and even trained such a talented craftsman. Turns out you sourced goods from elsewhere, swapped the bottles, and mixed things up. Are you trying to ruin Jinle Square? If the boss learns about this, how many lives do you think you have?"
"Brother, I didn’t want this either. But recently, the boss has been pressuring us, and our craftsmen simply can’t produce new items. I originally wanted to try those country women’s stuff for the recipe, but those incompetent fools couldn’t replicate it. So I thought, those Jinle Square goods aren’t affordable for those country people anyway, might as well source directly from her, sell at a markup, and easily earn silver."
"Now the silver isn’t earned, and we’ve handed our clients to the rival. What do you call this? This is losing a lot for a little," Tong Fu sneered, "I don’t care what method you use, but within a month, you must produce new items, and reclaim our original customers."
After Tong Fu left, Tong Lu’s previously naïve face turned malicious.
He gestured to a confidant beside him, "Go check out the situation at Brocade Clothing Shop."
Brocade Clothing Shop. Boss Lady Chun’e sent off the last customer and came to the yard with a wooden box, saying to Su Yaoguang, who had just changed out of that grand dress, "My good sister, you’re remarkable. Not only were today’s goods all sold out, but there are thirty big orders, all wanting full sets."
Jia Chunni exclaimed in surprise, "So we have more work now?"
The more capable her cousin is, the more they benefit. She doesn’t have her cousin’s skills, knowing she can’t earn big, but following her cousin to earn some wages makes her feel like she’s dreaming.
Su Yaoguang looked at the order record.
"Thank you, Sister Chun’e." Su Yaoguang opened the wooden box and took out a tael of broken silver.
Chun’e didn’t refuse, accepting the money.
"But according to what you said, you’ve offended Jinle Square, they might make things difficult for you in the future."
"If they weren’t bullying us too much, I wouldn’t have resorted to this. I know it offends them, but if we swallow this laid-back tone, how will we establish our own brand? Now that it’s happened, rather than going to them to argue, it’s better to use their wind and boost our brand."
"That’s truly a ruthless move!" Chun’e said, "But if you’re offended, you’re offended. Go back and make more goods, earning silver is what’s real. No matter how domineering Jinle Square is, under the County Magistrate’s jurisdiction, they wouldn’t dare overstep, the Lord County Magistrate is very strict."
"We need to produce goods, but we can’t put off opening a store either. I plan to stay in town today and go to the broker’s tomorrow morning to see if any shops are up for lease," Su Yaoguang said, "I’ve already sent my mother and others back, Chunni and I will stay in town."
"Since you’re staying in town, come stay at my house tonight! My son passed away years ago, there’s an empty room, if you’re not bothered by the inauspiciousness..."
"Sister Chun’e, what are you saying?" Su Yaoguang held her hand, "We’re grateful, never mind that! Staying at an inn for a night isn’t cheap."
"We’ll close early today, and I’ll let you taste my cooking skills." Chun’e was delighted by her response.
For Jia Chunni, this was her first time entering the city and staying there. She and Su Yaoguang followed Chun’e to her home.
Brocade Clothing Shop was rented by Chun’e, not her property. She had her own house in the small town, but it was in a very remote area, clearly a civilian area.
The house wasn’t large; sounds from the entire alley could be heard clearly, from child discipline, dog barking, to mother-in-law and daughter-in-law battles.
Chun’e said, "Ignore them. We shut the door and live our own lives, no need to meddle with how others are quarreling. Just ignore them."